Rodney Childers, who announced Friday that he would leave Michael Waltrip Racing to join Stewart-Haas Racing next year, was released as crew chief of MWR's No. 55 today.

Childers confirmed Monday that he would no longer be the crew chief of the No. 55 team but was still under contract with MWR at the moment. He tweeted a photo of lunch with his crew and titled it “the last supper” as he parts with the team he joined in 2009.

The move was not unexpected as the Toyota-supported team would not want Childers involved in any car development that he could then take to Chevrolet-supported SHR.

MWR announced Monday afternoon that while Childers remains under contract with the team through December, MWR Vice President of Competition Scott Miller will be the crew chief of the No.55 car the remainder of the season. Team engineer Billy Scott will have additional responsibilities overseeing car setup and race weekend preparations.

Brian Vickers will drive the car in 11 of the final 12 races of this year and full time in 2014, and the team is now looking for a permanent crew chief.